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RapidKL Bus Services

New Bus Service north of KL from March 18.

Back on Jan 16, RapidKL introduced the City Shuttles, unlimited service between 5 different "hubs" in the city centre, for only RM2. The use of the service has steadily increased...and so has the jam of buses on the roads of the KL City Centre.

I have just found out that on march 18, Rapid KL will begin the second major step in restructuring the RapidKL bus service.

New Service
On March 18, the new service will begin in the areas of Kepong, Selayang, Bt. Caves, Sentul, and Gombak. RapidKL will introduce two new types of buses.
These will be the tempatan buses (Local buses) and the bus utama (trunk/major buses).

The local buses will service many stops on the way to a major suburban point, such as an LRT station, or a mall or bus station. From that point, the passenger will have to board a trunk bus which will travel express to the Titiwangsa hub. At the Titiwangsa hub, the passenger will board the City Shuttle, or the Monorail, or the LRT, for further travel into the city centre.

So, the main difference is this: instead of one bus serving all points from suburb to city centre, there will be 3 buses: shuttle service at the outer end of the route, shuttle service inside the KL city centre, and express bus service in between.

Routes
Local Bus routes: 35 when service is fully in place
These routes will be signed 200-235.

Major Bus routes: 4 express buses to Titiwangsa will be introduced on March 18. There are 3 express buses that will not go to KL, but will service the suburbs. These will be introduced later.

The express buses to Titiwangsa will be signed 2T1-2T4, and the express local buses will be signed 2S1-2S3.

City Shuttle Routes: Currently 5 City Shuttle routes (101-104, 109) service the Titiwangsa Hub.

Fares
The cost of the local bus will be RM1
The cost of the trunk bus will be RM2
The cost of the City Shuttle will be RM2

Each of these tickets will get you unlimited use on that type of bus only.

A daily pass for unlimited bus service alone will cost RM4.
A daily pass for unlimited bus service and LRT service will cost RM7.

Other Service
Service to Puchong will begin in April, and service to USJ and Subang should begin in May or June (according to a supervisor at KL Sentral Station).

If the bus fares are more affordable, why not? The daily pass shld be integrated with bus and LRT modes. Introduce and market also the monthly pass at more affordable rates and unlimited rides on any routes/any mode (bus, LRT, Monorail). In Subang, some routes shld be realigned to serve some critical areas which is traffic prone.

If a bus commuter has to take multiple buses and during the day needs to make a lot of travelling, then this one size fits all is very attractive. For every lucrative venture, there will come touts who make money out of it. In no time, beside hearing about recycled APs, we will start to read about recycled bus passes.

For bus commuters who sit on their butts throughout the day after having reached their office in one piece and go no where else, then these people will opt for the 1 seat one fare.

The question is "Can we have such baskin robbins 31 flavours bus services in a small city like KL? Let's not talk about the touts yet as it will confuse the whole equation which is already unbalanced.

RapidKL website updated for new bus service in Region 2

RapidKL has updated their website to show information about the new bus routes in Region 2, which is the north KL area.

gives the new routes and the route maps for these new routes, as well as the old routes that are now out of service.

This route map shows you an example of the new routes and the old route that is being replaced.

However, you wouldn't be able to find the information if you were not carefully looking for it. See the main page to understand what I mean.

Oh, and the old information and old route maps for the "region 2" (north kl) are still posted on the website too...for example, this poorly labeled route map of the rapidKL stage buses or this route map of the feeder buses which doesnt actually mention that these are feeder buses.

[QUOTE=pcyeoh]If a bus commuter has to take multiple buses and during the day needs to make a lot of travelling, then this one size fits all is very attractive.
For bus commuters who sit on their butts throughout the day after having reached their office in one piece and go no where else, then these people will opt for the 1 seat one fare.

The question is "Can we have such baskin robbins 31 flavours bus services in a small city like KL?" QUOTE]

Yes, exactly. I think transit watchers will be comparing the growth of companies like rapidKL (which offers the transfer bus system) against companies like metrobus and selangor (which offer the one seat system) to see which one works out better.

One great thing about KL is that it is not lacking for bus services and competition. What is lacking is coordination at the top level, effective organization, and really listening to the customers.

I spent last evening riding the new bus service in Region 2 (north of KL, Gombak, Selayang, Bt. Caves, Kepong, and Sentul), to get an idea of the service changes.

I also spoke to rapidKL people and bus users to get their feel for the new service.

Generally, the comments are positive. Right now the major issue is the learning curve...people are having to get used to taking 3 buses, the new fare system, the new shuttle buses, etc.

One advantage of the new system (according to a user I spoke to) is that the shuttle buses give access to areas that the older bus system didnt service, and is very good for trips between major points out in the suburban areas.

I find that this makes good sense, as not everyone wants to go to KL. Also, the bas tempatan (local shuttles) actually go deep into the neighbourhoods. Hopefully having this transit option will get people out of their cars.

Some interesting things to note:

The information about bus routes is very complete and comprehensive. All bus stops have bus route information showing both the old and new routes, as well as the City Shuttles and the new Region 2 network. There are also large signs at the major hubs.

Buses are colour coded as well. A red circle/sign means the bus is a City Shuttle, a blue circle/sign means a bas utama, and a green circle/sign means a bas tempatan (local shuttle).

There is a new MTrans bus, similar to the ones used for the City Shuttles. However, it is a higher floor and less well-appointed than the City Shuttles. The seats are one piece plastic (as opposed to having padding, cloth, etc).

The plastic seats are the transportation version of the plastic seats at the mamak stalls...a cheap design, but solid.

There is currently shuttle service to KTM station Segambut (From Titiwangsa) and KTM station Kepong (from Metro Prima). There will be a connection between Sg. Buloh KTM and Metro Prima in the future.

The total cost for the bus service, excluding the rapidKL feeder bus and LRT, was RM4. The RM7 all day bus and LRT pass is not being offered yet.

Now, this is my question: Subang Jaya already has a good system of Shuttle Buses...will adding more rapidKL shuttles make much difference? Also, when the new buses are added, will there be enough space for them on the roads, and at the bus stands?

HOWEVER, I think Rapid KL needs to have a serious talk with and perhaps filtering of their drivers. They frequently drive like complete maniacs, flaunt rules, block intersections. I would never go on a bus who is a disgrace and a nuisance to other commuters.

...Now, this is my question: Subang Jaya already has a good system of Shuttle Buses...will adding more rapidKL shuttles make much difference? Also, when the new buses are added, will there be enough space for them on the roads, and at the bus stands?

Even if there are signs of a good system, there is much room for more improvement. There are still certain routes not covered and reached by rapidKL, Metrobus and the town shuttle. There is also a need to hv a depot here and integrate it with the KTM station and the LRT coming up in future. More bus stands and transit-friendly lanes. Ofcos, to accomodate all these, some road improvements are in order. And this is where our MPSJ must be proactive and willing to initiate the changes. That is where the problem is - an inactive and inept town council.

it's a good start for rapidkl, especially if it means lesser waiting time at bus stops and seemless connectivity between the buses and rail transports. it's a tempting option if it means i have the option of leaving my car at home, or somewhere safe and convenient, and then take a bus that doesn't get me a red ink when i clock into the office.

i can still tolerate the rapidkl drivers, mostly quite ok. metrobus drivers, on the other hand, are a nightmare. the worst of the lot in my opinion.

Even if there are signs of a good system, there is much room for more improvement. There are still certain routes not covered and reached by rapidKL, Metrobus and the town shuttle. There is also a need to hv a depot here and integrate it with the KTM station and the LRT coming up in future. More bus stands and transit-friendly lanes. Ofcos, to accomodate all these, some road improvements are in order. And this is where our MPSJ must be proactive and willing to initiate the changes. That is where the problem is - an inactive and inept town council.

I have become concerned as well, since I think that Jalan Jengka should be reserved as a transit corridor, and the site between the Saujana Towers and the KTM station be reserved for a car park and bus terminal.

If you look at this picture, you can see that it is a very easy access from the KTM Subang Jaya to Jalan Jengka. This link would pass east of the Saujana towers.

Before that, even if a contra-flow bus lane is put in place on the Subang Parade side of Jalan Jengka, bus service in the Subang Parade area would be far smoother, and there would be less jam and interference in the future.

Unfortunately, that land between Jalan SS16/1 and the KTM railway could easily be sold for a development that would just bring more traffic into the area.

The Local Buses (Bas Tempatan) follow the same numbering patter used in area 2...in area 3 there are Bas Temapatan 301-331. However, the AREA 3 Trunk Buses (Bas Utama) have been given different numbers from AREA 2.